A LORRY loaded with thousands of pounds of soft drinks has been stolen.

Thieves forced their way into a depot at Broadwood Garage in Frosterley, near Wolsingham, County Durham, and hot wired the ignition before driving off with the vehicle.

The ERF lorry, which has Turners of Soham written on the side panels, was taken some time between Saturday and Sunday.

The lorry is valued at £28,000 and contained more than two dozen pallets of Robinson's Fruit Shoots and other soft drinks, worth about £10,000. They were due to be delivered to a supermarket in Stockton.

A police spokesman said: "Police are unsure whether they were targeting the vehicle for its load or the vehicle itself."

The lorry is white and its registration number is DE52 OWA.

Anyone who has seen the lorry in the area is asked to contact Detective Constable Darren Cresswell on 0845 6060365.